Spring is a good time to dig, but be patient. If the soil is too wet, you’re asking for trouble when it dries. Roll some in your hands. If it acts like modeling clay, it’s too wet.

If all systems are go, start with your shovel in a corner of the plot. Dig 6 to 8 inches deep, turning over the soil. Chop the dirt clod.

As you dig, remove rocks. It’s usually safe to remove tree roots, as trees have many more than one.

Note that tillers ease the digging. It’s better to rent than to buy them, as you may use them only once a year.

With the soil turned, add compost or fertilizer and, in clay conditions, agricultural lime. Dig this into the top layer.

Finally, double rake the plot. Rough rake in one direction, then rake and smooth in the opposite direction.

If you want raised beds, create them by shoveling trenches. Raised beds are best in wet summers. They dry out quickly.

Merely walking on tilled soil is bad for it. It compacts the dirt, making water penetration difficult. Plan your digging so you’re not standing on tilled dirt.

The best shovel is a round-point blade with a Fiberglass handle. Note that sharpening the blade with a grit stone or file will make the job easier. Some gardeners wax their shovels with candles, believing this makes them less sticky.

Shovel technology is moving ahead. The Radius offers a circular grip with room for both hands and a stainless-steel blade (which makes it rustproof). The handle is steel encased in plastic resin. The tool is guaranteed unbreakable for life. It is available at garden-supply stores and at Sears for $41.

SHOVEL SELECTIONS

When shopping for a shovel, you’ll find a bewildering number of models, each created for specific jobs. Here are the general categories:

Barn shovel: A square-point with flat leading edge, deep blade with high sides, for moving grain and snow.

Coal shovel: Wide, square point with a short handle and grip at top, for moving materials.

Spade: The blade extends straight down to its flat tip, good for digging but not for lifting and moving, used for edging and transplant-ing, also called the nursery spade.

Garden shovel: Round-point blades curved at the edge to hold the dirt, the all-purpose digger and soil mover.

Floral shovel: A smaller-blade version of the garden shovel, for delicate work in beds.